Mr. Michael Forsythasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether any estimate had been made of the likely take-up of grants under the 90 per cent. scheme when it was decided to extend it for the year 1983–84.
Mr. AncramA close estimate of demand for grants under the arrangements introduced in April 1982 was not possible. It was clear, however, from the applications for 233W repairs grants received by local authorities in the six months following the inception of the higher rate of grant that there was considerable latent demand and that very substantial progress could be made by extending the arrangements as we did.